Grit question

[Toi-toi]

My chicks are 1 week old and I didn't start treat or grit yet.
Just wondering....
I know they need to have grit to eat regular food.
Do I have to feed them all the time???
I mean, once they get grit in their body, they don't need any more, or I have to feed grit till they die???
How often I have to offer them??
Just leave grit with container in their cage all the time??

 

[mdbokc]

If you are just feeding them starter, they don't need grit at this time. Yes, they should have starter feed and water all the time. Just keep raising the feeder to the height of their backs as they grow and you won't have the waste on the floor.

 

[dichotomymom]

They don't store it in their body if that's what you mean. They have to have access to some kind of grit throughout their lives.

 

[Toi-toi]

OK, just offer them all the time...
I saw parakeet grit at feed store but I didn't buy...
I will wait till they get little bigger.

Put feeder higher, that's good to know!
My feeder has ring for hanging.
How about water??
Right now I'm changing water like 5xday. They are soooo messy

 

[MareeZoCool]

I notice that my chickens will pick at sand and the grit in gravel several times daily, if they have access to it. Mine free-range, so they choose their daily needs(I assume).

 

[mdbokc]

Water should also be raised to the height of their backs. With a waterer, you should be able to just flip the polluted stuff out (3-4 times a day), fresh will enter the tray from the reservoir. Eventually, you refill the reservoir.

I always use blocks of wood to raise the feeder and waterer. No place to hang in the laundry room.

 

[sydney13]

Quote:
don't feed the parakeet grit to them until they are laying because most kinds have oyster shells in them. i bought a big box of finch grit for my chicks and when i was done paying i read the ingredients and it had oyster shells, now i have to wait 6 more months to give it to them

 

[Toi-toi]

I found poultry grit.
http://www.mypetchicken.com/catalog/Chicken-Supplies/Poultry-Grit-5lb-bag-p53.aspx
Is it OK with chicks??

Doesn't say anything about oyster shells, etc...

 

[sydney13]

Quote:
i think it will be ok but its better to use chick grit because its easyier for them to eat. you could try giving them a little sand or a clump dirt and they will get little pebbles from it

 

[elmo]

You can use a mortar and pestle to grind down regular chicken grit into a size small enough for chicks. That's what I do.